CHAPTER 18: THE SHOCK

Lily’s Point of View

My eyes blinked slowly open, and I saw all their eyes peering at me: my mum’s, Geoffrey’s, Jessica’s, Thomas’s, and even his—Si, or should I say Simon Weston's. I closed my eyes again, unwilling to see him.

“Lily, open your eyes, please,” Thomas’s voice rang in my ears as my eyes fluttered open again. I soon realized he held my upper body in his arms.

“Lily, darling, are you okay?” My mum’s voice echoed. I could see all their worried looks, but I froze, numb. It was like the weight of it all—my father’s death, the contract marriage, the love who left me and turned out to be my soon-to-be brother-in-law— came crashing down on me.

“Call the doctor,” I heard Geoffrey say as Jessica rose from her bending position to swiftly carry out his instructions.

“Let me take her to my room,” Thomas said.

“I’m fine,” I finally spoke in a weak and low tone. Everyone stared at me, surprised including Jessica, who was phoning the doctor. “I want to go home,” I said a